The box I received, all the documents were in Japanese, good luck figuring that out.

These IEM are worth it, they sound fabulous! I let my wife and son listen to them, my wife said Wow! how much did those cost? About $300? I said yeah and laughed. The cables are detachable. I needed to change the size of the ear pads to the larger ones for a better fit. I highly recommend them, they are all they are hyped up to be and more.

It looks to be treated, although I'm no expert. The monitor's are of very high quality, so it wouldn't surprise me if they were treated. They look like they will last a long time.Edited by Sonic77 - 5/29/14 at 11:40am

Found less time for listening than I thought this weekend, so here's just the essentials:

Bass: FX850 have more deep bass and a tad less midbass than the FX700, resulting in a more linear bass range and better perceived extension. FX850 hit even slightly harder overall, but have better damping and control, whereas the FX700 feel a tad more dynamic, but less controlled and more boomy. With a light seal, the FX850's bass remains quite linear with great extension and less obnoxious punch, reminding me of the excellent LCD-2 Rev2's low end.

Mids: FX850's mids are a touch more forward and fleshed out than the FX700's, resulting in better intelligibility and slightly more intimate vocals. As a result, perceived soundstage is a bit smaller than on the FX700. Mids are less affected by upper bass and sound a little less dry than on the FX700. Detail is insane and a step up from the FX700, reminding me of the IE800's mids resolution (probably my two favorite midranges ever). Awesome timbre, at least as good as on the FX700.

Highs: Little can be improved about the FX700's highs in my book. When I had the JH13 demo and compared it to my own IEMs, the FX700 were the only DD-based phones that could keep up in treble resolution (I didn't have the IE800 back then). And sure enough, this is the range that changed least from the FX700 to the FX850 imo. Though, after close listening, I believe the FX850 are raising the bar for detail resolution and refinement even a smidgen higher. Truly amazing.

Overall I'm highly pleased with the FX850's changes from the FX700, with the exception of bass quantity. But with a light seal, the FX850 sound nothing short of spectacular and at eye level with the best IEMs I've heard.

is the bass of FX850 as deep and punchy as the IE800? I know FX700's bass is not as deep as IE800. Don't remember the bass impact though.

Just curious... has anybody listened to or currently own the Shure 846's? And how do they compare to the FX850's? I might end up getting those b/c the isolation on the FX850's aren't the best. But the sound is awesome...:(

Just curious... has anybody listened to or currently own the Shure 846's? And how do they compare to the FX850's? I might end up getting those b/c the isolation on the FX850's aren't the best. But the sound is awesome...:(

Have you tried other tips, maybe double flanges ? I use Hifiman double flange tips and with them isolation is pretty good.

Yes I tried the foam tips which isolate maybe 30% more at most but cuts off the higher frequencies. But I still want more isolation. I remember previously owning the Shure SE215's and they were excellent for noise isolation. I was just wondering what the SE846's sound like in comparison to the FX850's since I've read the SE846's isolate as well as Shure's other in-ear models.

Yes I tried the foam tips which isolate maybe 30% more at most but cuts off the higher frequencies. But I still want more isolation. I remember previously owning the Shure SE215's and they were excellent for noise isolation. I was just wondering what the SE846's sound like in comparison to the FX850's since I've read the SE846's isolate as well as Shure's other in-ear models.

Any dynamic driver IEM that requires a vented enclosure to realize its potential will never have as much isolation as a BA can.... I have heard good things about the bass on the 846, so you probably won't go too wrong, but that is one hell of a jump in price for what I don't think (IMO) is that big a jump in quality - oh..... and I just got my 850's...

It is Saturday and I got called in to do a job - they came, I signed for them and the phone rang.... I just got back 4 and a half hours later and I have squirreled myself away in my office and opened the box.... here we go...

I have both the SE846 and FX850 and despite the huge price gap the 850 is incredibly close SQ wise. I am trying to convince myself to sell the Shure to recoup some money but the Shure is a lot more practical and has superb isolation. I believe the Shure remains very slightly better SQ wise, especially mids.